See ‘The Piano’ For Grand Drama
It is worth noting that we might not get to see a film as marvelous and intriguing as “The Piano” if not for the always-cynical attitude of network programers.
NBC will air the 1993 movie at 8:30, opposite the NCAA basketball championship in the Eastern time zone, because it figures it’s a woman’s movie and women aren’t interested in sports.
The network, of course, isn’t altogether wrong. But it’s too bad NBC is making people choose between a major sports event and one of the best movies it will air this season.
Holly Hunter and Anna Paquin both won Oscars for their performances in this haunting and affecting tale of a woman and her daughter struggling to adjust to an awkward new life in New Zealand.
Ada (Hunter), in her 30s, has not spoken since she was 6 years old. She communicates by sign language interpreted by her precocious young daughter, Flora (Paquin), and by playing her piano. Ada has arrived by ship from Scotland to marry a landowner (Sam Neill), who cares so little about the piano - and his new bride - that he leaves it on the beach.
Ada plays on the beach, where she’s heard by a crude neighbor (Harvey Keitel), who trades her husband land in return for the piano and lessons given by Ada. This arrangement leads to unexpected developments.
Powerful performances, layered in ways that allow the story to unfold by revealing what’s behind the characters’ motives, make this a penetrating experience. There’s no comparison between this outstanding movie and the mindless refuse that usually fills this time slot.
Highlights
“Mad About You,” NBC at 8: In a hysterically funny repeat from October, Paul and Jamie (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) choose an obstetrician.
“Relativity,” ABC at 8: Having sent “Spy Game” into the cold, ABC brings back this touchy-feely series with Karen (Jane Adams) having a fling with Doug (Adam Goldberg). Goldberg, who played Chandler’s oddball roommate on “Friends,” lights up this series.
“Everybody Loves Raymond,” CBS at 9: A repeat of the series premiere includes a riotous scene of Ray (Ray Romano) being confronted by his parents (Peter Boyle, Doris Roberts) over his enrolling them in a fruit-of-the-month club.
“Basketball,” CBS at 6: College basketball’s national champions will be crowned as the sole survivors of the 64-team tournament square-off in the RCA Dome in Indianapolis.
“The 10 Commandments” (1956), ABC at 9: The two-part presentation, complete with restored color and sound, concludes with the parting of the Red Sea.
“Pauly,” FOX at 9:30: Pauly (Pauly Shore) sheds his slacker image and takes up golf to impress his father’s beautiful new employee. Also, Michelle Phillips (The Mamas and the Papas, “Knots Landing”), Donna Pescow (“Saturday Night Fever”) and Stephanie Faracy (“Tales of the City”) guest-star as members of Brentwood’s elite First Wives Club, a clique Dawn (Charlotte Ross) desperately wants to join.
Cable Calls
“CIA: America’s Secret Warriors,” DISC at 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.: This series, airing over three consecutive nights, traces the CIA’s history and many of its dirty secrets - from the Cold War to recent scandals involving CIA complicity in human-rights violations in Guatemala and alleged involvement with international drug dealers.
More than a dozen former agents, four former CIA directors, convicted CIA “mole” Alrdich Ames and former KGB spies are interviewed in this uncompromising and dramatically told documentary.
This is must-see TV for anyone interested in the spy game.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Former L.A. Laker Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Melissa Joan Hart (“Sabrina, The Teenaged Witch”) and “Lord of the Dance” dancer Michael Flatley.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor Kadeem Hardison and knife performers the Daggers of Doom
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: Jeffrey Tambor, Hugh Downs, Judy Tenuta and lobbyist Andrea Shelton.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: David Hasselhoff (“Baywatch”) and Dave Thomas (“Grace Under Fire”). Repeat.